Sefophe quarantine is on October 14 expected to start receiving non European Union market cattle from zone 7 cattle destined for South African markets.
This is according to the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Letlhogile Modisa. After their quarantine, the cattle will be sent to Francistown abattoir where they will be slaughtered.
Francistown abattoir is still not slaughtering for EU markets since the country was delisted from the EU markets.
He said that set conditions for receiving cattle into the quarantine includes that cattle should have the latest foot and mouth disease brand. Upon entry into the camp, cattle will be subjected to clinical (feet and mouth) inspection and inserted with reticular bolus then will be subjected to weekly inspection until end of their quarantine period.
He added that farmers will be responsible for the welfare, security and safety of the cattle and that government will not be held liable for loses of stock due to either accidents, fire straying, theft or disease.
The news has cheered Bobirwa farmers who have gone for years without selling their cattle to the BMC because of foot and mouth out breaks. Besides that, farmers around the country fear that their cattle will be killed by drought that is currently affecting the whole country. Some local newspapers are showing pictures of cattle which are dying from the effects of drought around the country.
